4A high school football playoffs: Logan vs. Bountiful

Logan QB D.J. Nelson (12) has enjoyed a dominant season, and is a big reason the Grizzlies are 12-0 this year. (Ravell Call, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — Perfection is a wonderful thing.

Perfect is a very strong phrase; it takes a lot for something to be considered flawless. In one single second, especially in sports, something can be tainted. Ask the New England Patriots.

That's what the Logan Grizzlies are trying to accomplish — anundefeated record.

To be perfect.

So far, through 12 games, they've done exactly that.

"The playoffs are do-or-die, although our record was perfect, everyone entered the first week of the playoffs with a perfect 0-0 record," said Logan coach Mike Favero.

The Grizzlies will look to take one more step closer to the ultimate goal Thursday at 11 a.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium against Bountiful (8-4).

Johnny Luke ()

It's a rematch that dates back to Week 3 of the season where Logan, simply put — dominated the Braves 56-31. The Grizzlies took a 42-3 lead into the locker room at halftime, and led 49-10 after three before giving up 21 points during mop up time.

However, that game fell during a tough stretch for Bountiful that started the season 1-3. Since that period, the Braves have won seven of the last eight games including an impressive 34-14 win against Olympus in the quarterfinals.

"Well, number one, Bountiful is a much improved team," said Favero when asked about the rematch. "Number two, it's Rice-Eccles Stadium; it's the final four and if that can't get you fired up to play your best then you're going to get beat by whoever you play."

Logan hasn't been challenged since the second week when it beat Cottonwood 32-25. The Grizzlies have been one of the most abusive teams in state history, outscoring their opponents 533-191 and 218-44 in region play.

D.J. Nelson ()

Logan has racked up 5,184 yards of total offense while averaging 44.4 points per game.

That being said, the Grizzlies haven't been challenged in the fourth quarter — something that's surely possible this week. When asked if he was at all concerned about the fact his team hasn't played a real game late — Favero answered with one word.

"Nope."

Most of the success of the offense is credited to quarterback D.J. Nelson. The senior has rushed for 1,383 yards and 21 touchdowns and is closing in on 3,000 yards through the air with 43 touchdown tosses.

But what goes unnoticed is the depth of the receiving corps. Hagen Andersen, Beau Artist, Jesse Braddy, John Schmidt and Jake Thompson have teamed up for 220 receptions, 2,926 yards and 36 touchdowns.

R. Gautavai ()

"We don't care (whom) we throw it to; we just want to make sure we throw it to the right guy," said Favero. "We've got a lot of balance, and they're all capable of having big games. We don't care who catches it; we just care if it's caught when it's thrown to them."

Bountiful, although considered big underdogs, won't go down without a fight. The Braves have talent oozing from their veins as well.

Jakob Hunt has galloped for 1,057 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground, and quarterback Cam Zollinger has been incredibly efficient through the air with 15 touchdown passes while completing 55 percent of his pass attempts.